Brookings City Council Meeting – April 14, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 12:00 PM with six council members present, plus two members (Councilmember Duran and City Attorney Vince Jones) joining via conference call. The council approved the agenda and consent agenda unanimously, heard no public comment, and then proceeded through a proclamation, police promotions and hires, reports from SDSU, Brookings Health System, and the Regional Growth Alliance, a presentation on the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, second reading of an animal ordinance, and a public hearing and vote on a rezone and preliminary plat.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Moved, seconded; roll call vote: 8 ayes (Avery, Doran, Hager, Neymar, Specker, Tilton Byrne, Wendell, and Duran via conference call). Unanimous.
• Consent Agenda: No items removed; moved, seconded; roll call vote: 8 ayes. Unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered during the open forum or on agenda items.

Proclamation – Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

• Mayor proclaimed April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in Brookings. Sammy, a rule advocate from Margot’s Place, accepted the proclamation, noting that sexual violence affects individuals and families, and that South Dakota ranked 10th in the nation for victims per 100,000 in 2023, with 40% of sexual violence victims in the state being of Native descent. She thanked the city for standing with survivors and highlighted Margot’s Place’s 24/7 services. Mayor also recognized Margaret Denton for her role in founding the organization.

Police Promotions and New Hires

• Chief Drake outlined the rigorous six-month promotional process (written exams, oral boards, scenario assessments). Promotions announced:
  • Patrol Lieutenant: Jonathan Weinrick
  • Patrol Sergeants: Dustin Angstrom (ranked #1 on both corporal and sergeant exams) and Jacob Vukovich
  • Detective Corporal: Rick Whitaker
  • Patrol Corporals: Cora Olson and Scott Roberts
  • Lead Dispatcher: Brittany Williams
• New hires: Office Manager Victoria, CSOs Chase McMath, Emily Knoll, and Lena Duncan, Dispatcher Christopher Williams
• Patrol Officers Sworn In: Dakota Dodds, Draden Schneider, Jarrett Armstrong, and Maggie Schleepsick (administered oath by Mayor).

Reports

• SDSU Student Report: Anna Hunt (outgoing Government Affairs Chair) introduced her successor, Jackie Mollison (new Government Affairs Chair, double major in criminology and political science).
• Brookings Health System Report (Bree): EPIC transition nearing completion; therapy services to begin June 1 at The Neighborhoods; wound center donated over 1,000 pairs of socks; health system named Top 100 Rural and Top 20 Rural Community Hospitals (ninth time in 10 years). Also discussed the South Dakota Rural Health Transformation Plan and a potential farm program site in Brookings.
• Brookings Regional Growth Alliance Update (Councilmember Wendell): The merged entity (formerly Chamber, Visit Brookings, Downtown Brookings, EDC) is now named the Brookings Regional Growth Alliance. New President/CEO Lori Frederick (background from Elevate Rapid City, Governor’s office, Lead-Deadwood) has been hired.

Discussion Items

• ICAC Task Force Presentation (Detective Sergeant Rhett Larson): The Brookings Police Department has joined the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force as an affiliate agency at no cost to the city. Benefits include specialized training, digital forensics support, access to a national network of 5,200+ agencies, and potential equipment grants. Two detectives are assigned. Community education is a component. Training is expected by mid-summer. Councilmember questions addressed cross-jurisdiction data sharing, training scope, and long-term financial sustainability. The council expressed support.
• Second Reading – Ordinance 26-011 (Animals): Chief Drake presented amendments to Chapter 14 (Animals), which had not been updated since 2013. Changes include updated definitions, revised pet licensing, adjusted fines, enhanced penalties for repeat offenders, addition of the Dunbar Aggression Assessment Scale, and new rabies control measures. The ordinance retains existing language on chickens (fowl) per council direction from the first reading. A third reading is scheduled for April 28, 2026. No public comment or council objection was voiced.
• Public Hearing and Second Reading – Ordinance 26-012 (Rezone): Ryan Miller presented a petition to rezone portions of Bluegill 2nd and 3rd editions and adjacent land from AG and R1D to R1D and R3 (multifamily). The area is within a medium-density residential future land use designation. Staff and the Planning Commission supported the rezone. Developer representative Justin Booker stood for questions. No public opposition. Motion to approve was seconded and passed unanimously (8-0).
• Preliminary Plat – Bluegill 2nd and 3rd Editions: Ryan Miller presented the preliminary plat for lots in Bluegill 2nd and 3rd editions, including extension of Lucerne Avenue and Ace Avenue. Lots include single-family, attached single-family, and R3 zoned lots. Councilmember Wendell noted the importance of a planned trail connection with the parks department. Motion to approve passed unanimously (8-0).

Key Outcomes

• Agenda and Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Proclamation: Issued for Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
• Police Promotions and Swearing-In: All promotions and new hires recognized; officers sworn in.
• Ordinance 26-011 (Animals): Second reading held; third reading set for April 28, 2026.
• Ordinance 26-012 (Rezone): Approved on second reading and public hearing. Unanimous vote (8-0).
• Preliminary Plat (Bluegill Editions): Approved unanimously (8-0).
• Next Meeting: April 28, 2026, with anticipated items including volunteer board appointments, bid award for city crop land lease, solar purchase, landfill engineering, joint jurisdiction rezoning, fee schedule amendment, and city progress report.
• Study Session: Canceled for this month.
• Parks and Recreation: Registration for summer programs opens April 15 at 7:00 AM.